Johnson 'optimistic' about Hegseth: 'We believe in redemption' 

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Saturday said he was "optimistic" about the path forward for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump's controversial pick to lead the Pentagon.

"I’m optimistic about it. I’ve talked to a number of senators personally on the Hill just over the last couple of days and it seems like the momentum’s moving the right way," Johnson said in an interview on "Fox & Friends Weekend," adding, "We’ve all made mistakes in our lives, but we believe in redemption."

"What Pete brings to the table is a love for the military, a great education background, a great experience set, I think he’s well-suited for the job," he told Hegseth's former Fox News colleagues. "And he will shake up the status quo, which is why this pick is so important."

Johnson's praise comes a day after Trump doubled down on his nomination of Hegseth amid questions about whether allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking could impact his chance of being confirmed by the Senate. The Speaker, while a powerful ally of the president-elect, does not have a vote in the matter.

“Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe,” Trump posted on Truth Social, calling the former "Fox & Friends" host a “great student” with a “military state of mind.”

While there has been an uptick in support over recent days, Hegseth is still facing an uphill battle. Sources signaled to The Hill earlier this week that his chances could be blocked by a group of likely "hard no's" among Senate Republicans.

Those reservations have also been directly communicated with Trump's transition team, which has reportedly been mulling other options — including his former primary rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).

Hegseth has vowed to continue fighting for the position, despite the scrutiny. In a message online earlier this week, he claimed he was subject to a smear campaign from Democrats.

"I'm doing this for the warfighters, not the warmongers," he wrote on social platform X. "The left is afraid of disrupters and change agents. They are afraid of @realDonaldTrump — and me."

“So they smear w/ fake, anonymous sources & BS stories. They don’t want truth. Our warriors never back down, & neither will I," Hegseth added.

The Army veteran's lawyer has also threatened an extortion lawsuit against his client’s sexual assault accuser if Hegseth is not confirmed as secretary of Defense.